HARRISBURG – This morning Senate Bill 836, known as Peyton’s Law, was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee. This legislation, sponsored by Senator Mike Regan (R-31), aims to educate every student athlete and their parents about EKG testing to detect underlying heart conditions that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA).
SB 836 builds off of Act 59 of 2012, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act, which recognized the significance of the issue, requiring information be provided to student athletes about SCA. Currently, student athletes and parents receive an SCA symptoms and warning signs information sheet each school year, which must be signed and returned prior to participation in athletic activities.
Addressing the committee, Senator Regan explained, “Every hour of every day we lose a child to Sudden Cardiac Arrest.” He continued, “I want to share with you a bit about the namesake of the bill, Peyton Walker, a bright, talented, young woman who passed away at the age of 19 from Sudden Cardiac Arrest.”
Based on the recently enacted legislation in Texas, known as Cody’s Law, SB 836 amends Act 59 to require: 1) information be provided to student athletes and their parents/guardians regarding electrocardiogram testing and 2) they be notified of the option to request the administration of an electrocardiogram in addition to the standard physical examination.
Following today’s meeting, Regan expressed, “As we continue to work through COVID-19 related matters, I appreciate the committee’s recognition that there will be a time in the near future when we can resume regular activities. Just like the rest of us, student athletes long for normalcy, and they look forward to the day they can be a part of a team again and play the sports they love. With this legislation we can help prepare those athletes to take the field confidently when the time comes.”
Regan further stated, “As a father of four, knowing a simple test could save my children from becoming a victim of SCA motivated me to have my boys screened. My legislation provides life-saving information to parents and empowers them to take the same steps I did.”
SB 836 was amended in Committee to codify Act 59 into the School Code. The bill now advances to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
CONTACT: Taylor Wamsher, twamsher@pasen.gov
